Like A Rainbow on the 1st floor now offer a Cloth Alterations & Repair Service.

Having been in textile, garment manufacturing and trade, for more than 32 years, we have the expertise in design, pattern cutting, grading, manufacturing and tailoring. These experiences allow us to offer a full range of alteration services from simple button sewing and small repairs to much larger alterations such as relining wedding dresses, jackets and trousers etc..

We have changing room facilities and can personally ‘pin up’ all clothing before alterations are carried out, to give you an idea of what your garment will look like once the alteration has been carried out.

We also offer a mail order alteration service.

For more information give us a call on 0778 704 1709 or visit us in our shop on the 1st floor.

This weeks Meet The Stall Holder features our first floor independent clothing store; MENIKMATI, ran by Oliver and Pete. We spoke to Pete who gave us an insight into the stall and a few other projects he’s got going on.

Whats the name of your shop and what do you sell?
MENIKMATI and as an independent fashion boutique, we sell apparel and accessories from some of the UK’s finest independent brands.

Why Afflecks?
Afflecks has always been at the forefront of alternative and underground fashion and proves a perfect place to house our boutique. With cutting edge designs in a unique atmosphere, it was the logical choice.

What do you do outside of Afflecks?
I personally run a small art house and fashion label under the guise of Pete Obsolete, as well as Art Directing a number of projects in Manchester including working with the local hip-hop scene and independent clothing labels. I’m also part of LiveScribe, a live illustrating project based in Nottingham.

Any inspirations?
All-time hero of mine is US illustrator Keith Haring who brought single line illustration to the world of graffiti and has been influencing modern art and styling since the 80’s. Russian Constructivist Alexander Rodchenko, the Ndebele Tribe from Northern Africa and The Fresh Prince of Bel Air are also up there.

And tell us a random fact!
The word ‘amateur’ comes from the French ‘L’amore’, meaning ‘for the love’.

So really, the guys from MENIKMATI aren’t as moody as they look in their picture (they’ve got to keep their image up remember!) so don’t forget to make sure you say hello when you’re passing!

This year Pride 2013 is set to be bigger, better and lets face it a lot more colourful!

Throughout August, Pride Fringe has been setting us up for the big weekend with music, family fun and even it’s own twist on The Great British Bake Off. Haven’t we been spoiled!

The famous parade will be travelling through the streets of Manchester on Saturday 24th August at 1pm with it’s theme ‘Acceptable in the 80’s?’
As usual, the weekend offers you music, markets and the bars will be open and ready for all your boozy needs!
If you haven’t already get those tickets booked! For booking and more information on Pride 2013, head over to- http://www.manchesterpride.com/

Stand out this year and shop at Afflecks; for all that’s individual in fashion and lifestyle.

One of our most recent stalls; based on our third floor, Pride to Be are unlike any other gift shop- they cater specifically for the gay/lesbian community! Perfect timing what with Pride 2013 being here!

Tell us a bit about your shop?
We are Pride To Be and we sell a wide range of gifts and greeting cards aimed at the gay and lesbian community. As we design and print the majority of our products on site, we are also able to offer a personalisation service, as well as a bespoke design service.

What made you want to set up in Afflecks?
Pride To Be is unique and one of the first of its kind on the market, so we wanted to be associated with an equally unique venue. Afflecks is iconic and renowned for its quirky, one-off stores, so we could think of no better place to establish our first shop!

What do you do outside of Afflecks’ walls?In the short amount of time we have outside of Afflecks (!), we enjoy supporting our local roller derby team – Rainy City Roller Girls in Oldham, walking (and spoiling) our gorgeous puppy, Flo and spending time with our family and friends.

Any inspirations?
Human Rights Activist and LGBT Figurehead and Speaker, Peter Tatchell. We were lucky enough to be present at one of his recent events and to hear him speak really does inspire. Also, Angeline Jolie; not only is she an amazingly talented (and stunning!)actress, she is another massively inspiration Human Rights Activist and a believer in encouraging individuality – there have been some fabulous pictures out recently showing her daughter simply being ‘herself’ – Google it, it’s a fantastic example of excellent parenting in the modern age!

And tell us a random fact!
Since 2003, Manchester Pride has raised and distributed over £1million to a variety of LGBT charities.

From cake pops to cupcake classes, Chezzie Le Choux has everything to satisfy your baking needs and she can teach you a thing or two… Give Over! In the cake making department!

Hiya Cherrill, So tell us about your stall on the 3rd floor?Well my stall is called Chezzie Le Choux and I sell handcrafted cakes, cake decorating supplies, cake decorating classes, parties and experiences.

Why did you chose to base yourself in Afflecks?Afflecks chose me. We had been looking for a property for about 6 months – all the retail agents were really unhelpful or the properties were not suitable. We were doing our regular slot on the city centre market and met the manager from Extreme Largeness who told us to get our butts round to Afflecks and we opened 3 weeks later!

Do you have any inspirations?
My Grandparents

And finally! Tell us something random!
Boy ducks can’t quack!

Cherrill is based on the 3rd floor of Afflecks so when you’re in and around, bob in and say hello! For more information on Cherrill’s stall and her classes contact her onchezzielechoux@yahoo.co.uk

So if you’re into your vintage clothing and home ware, this girl has it all for you. I caught up with Liz to ask a few questions about her shop and of course herself.

So Liz, tell us a bit about your stall.So my name’s Liz and this is mine and my boyfriend Vince’s shop. We sell vintage and vintage homeware.

So why did you choose to base your stall in Afflecks?Erm, because it’s an amazing place that’s been up and around for so long and I used to come here when I was younger and I’ve always dreamed of having my own shop in here and it’s just a great place to be really! It’s in the centre of Manchester and you get a big diverse, range of people really and no day is ever the same.

Do you have any inspirations?Vivienne Westwood with the way she started and worked her way up to where she is now from just a small shop.

And finally, give us a random fact!I can moonwalk and I was on Coronation Street when I was 14!

Vagabond is on the 3rd floor of Afflecks so whilst you’re on your travels around store, go say hello!

Following the tragic fire in our neighbouring building Afflecks has come up against some tough challenges. Thanks to the relentless efforts of the firefighters Afflecks is safe and well and back open for business.

Due to various areas around our building being cordoned off unfortunately the Tib Street entrance is out of action, however you can enter via Church Street & Oldham Street. Once in you can visit all of your favourite shops.

Please come and see us and show your support, firefighters are on Oldham Street with collection buckets and a book of condolence for Stephen Hunt who lost his life saving others.

Afflecks is a shopping haven for individual and eclectic tastes, a nationally recognised beacon of indie entrepreneurship.

Afflecks, with over 30 years trading history has successfully maintained its origional ethos of creating a safe and secure commerce environment for the budding business man and woman; thus creating the foundation for many creative art and fashion boutique businesses.

In the coming weeks Afflecks will be creating an online department store showcasing the wide array of fashion, products and customer services that the Afflecks brand has become synonymous with throughout its longstanding history.

Utilising the powerful engine that is the Mercado Hub, customers will have the ability to shop at any number of Afflecks’ department store market stalls online and via a secure single checkout, fulfill a number of purchases in one visit. Translating the Afflecks shopping experience to an online venue and thus providing existing and new customers with the means of becoming part of the Afflecks community.

Afflecks’ General Manager Tony Martin said “We are extremely excited about the potential to share what is the unique Afflecks experience with a much broader community of potential shoppers. People from quite literally all over the globe will be able to visit us, browse many of the stalls as if they were right here in Manchester and purchase goods for delivery by post.”

Afflecks is working in partnership with Manchester based ‘Mercado Commerce’ and the online shop will be launched towards the end of July.

Once again Afflecks is delighted to have been awarded a TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence for 2013.

This prestigious award, which places Afflecks in the top-performing 10% of all businesses worldwide on TripAdvisor, is awarded to Afflecks for consistently acheiving high ratings from TripAdvisor travellers.

Since bringing you Manchesters Torture Garden, Frankie Knuckles has been thinking of ways to maintain the throbbing group of our new community of creatives, hence we see the arrival of the Manopsychotisches Ballroom.

Using a play on Meuhls cinematic title, the Ballroom will provide a mix of provocation, tantalization and sensualism. As well as a performance by the beautiful Cervena Fox there will be the preview to Manchesters premier Latex brand Eustratia’s new lingerie range with Manchester models Biomechanina, Sapphire Black and a whole host of others performing on the catwalk.

The finale of the evening will be a premier performance by Neo-Aktionist Canavan and Kilby (TG Valentines 2013) who have commissioned a new piece just for us at the Ballroom.

The fabulous Pinkies on the 1st floor has undergone a makeover and to celebrate their new look and amazingly improved milkshakes, drinks and food, Pinkies will be celebrating with a day of fun, excitement and free stuff!

There will be performances from Jazz songstress Kiki De Ville, ‘Legend in the Shaking’ Ginger La Rouge and more to be announced.

Pinkies will also launch their Brain Freeze challenge as well as some amazing vegan shakes. There will also be free tasters of Brownie Infusion treaty flavoured brownies.

Please join us in Afflecks on the 2nd floor and meet our special guests, get some photos and grab yourself a copy of ‘Thirty One Songs’ – a special compilation album featuring the music by the likes of Elbow, Everything Everything, Dutch Uncles and Delphic.

In 2006 Tony Wilson set up the charity CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably), a non profit charity with the intention to campaign and help fight the high suicide rate of men under the age of 35 in the UK.

While the campaign, Web site, magazine and online community targets men in this age group, the support system that they have in place including a free, anonymous helpline is open to anyone who needs help.

Depression and stress are just two things that all of us may have in our lives, yet they are the main players in that final, desperate decision: when a person chooses to end their life. CALM has provided a safe haven for many of those on the brink, for people who are having difficulty coping with real issues in their lives and have nowhere to turn to.

Running the helpline is costly and at present the helplines are open Saturdays, Sundays, Mondays and Tuesdays from 5pm to midnight. CALM’s goal is to have the helpline open every night of the week.

Last year writer & DJ Dave Haslam curated for the Factory Foundation a special collection of 31 songs, named aptly ‘Thirty One’ the album is a compilation of tunes from some of Manchesters favourite artists such as Elbow, Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds, Mr Scruff and many more.

Last year Afflecks supported the launch of the album and this year will be assisting with the final push of 31 songs, you have until the end of February to purchase the album and support the campaign.

31 Songs will be available to purchase for £10 for a limited time from CALM’s ‘pop up’ shop on the 2nd floor.

More often than not, suicide happens because someone has decided his / her life is hopeless. CALM’s mission is to help people in crisis, and your donation by purchasing this album will help them continue this mission.

An enterprising teenager is fashioning a bright future for himself with his own clothing business. Eric Bishyika, 16, launched Swagginstein Wear after a school project and has now been accepted on to the Peter Jones Enterprise Course.

The Oasis Academy Oldham pupil started selling his own clothing range when he was 13 with money saved from his paper round. The venture was given a boost in September when the academy’s principle David Hayes spotted the entrepreneurial spark in Eric and loaned him the funds to turn it in to a business.

Afflecks will be supporting Eric and he will be launching his brand of clothing with us on Saturday 26th January. Come along and show your support and have a look at Eric’s brand of clothing on the 2nd floor from 10:00am.